Choosing The Best File Recovery Solution
Safety First...
If you are reading this article on the computer you are trying to recover files from, do the following steps immediately (Your computer is always running in the background, and could be overwriting the data you are trying to recover): 1. Close any important documents that are open. 2. Print this article to follow off-line. 3. Unplug your computer (Do not turn off your computer, unplug it now.). Note: Unplugging the computer stops the computer from running all together. Turning off or shutting down your computer might make the computer go through a process that could overwrite data - your files.
What not to do...
1. Do not run the system recovery disk from the computer manufacturer. This software is designed to get your computer running again with no regard to your data. In other words, it is not designed as a file recovery solution. Just ask the manufacturer if there is a possibility that you could lose data. Yes, is always the answer.
2. Do not install file recovery software on the computer you are trying to recover files from, for this could overwrite the files you are trying to recover. You must have a secondary storage device (i.e. hard disk drive, USB device, etc.) to install the program and to recover the files.
Note to Advanced Users: Even if you are trying to recover a particular partition, and already have a separate partition to install the file recovery software on, do not do it. Since there is possible corruption within the file system at this point, you run the risk of overwritting the partition and files you are trying to recover during the installation process. Better safe than sorry. Install the program on a secondary drive.
File Recovery Software...
Which file recovery software you choose depends on what has happened:
1. Have you accidentally delete a file that you want back?
2. Have you lost a file, or found it damaged upon opening it?
3. When starting your computer, has it failed to boot to the desktop,
invoking a blue or black screen, or an error message (write that message down)?
Accidentally deleted files can usually be recovered by File Undelete software, which lucky for you is the cheapest solution at about $30 USD. If you cannot locate a file after running the program, the file system (where the files lie) may have been altered, deleted, or damaged. This means, File Undelete software cannot work, and you should use a "complete" file recovery product.
Lost or damaged files require a "complete" file recovery software, which usually costs about $100 USD. (Professional grade recovery software which include multiple recovery functions costs as much as $400). If you cannot locate a file after running the program, or if your computer failed to boot to the desktop, you may need File Recovery Services.
File Recovery Services...
A good rule of thumb at choosing a file recovery service company is, if they develop and sell file recovery software - not just sell them, they should have reliable in-lab services (After fifteen years of developing file recovery software, and knowing who is who in the industry, I can attest to this point). Also, full-scale recovery companies only do file recovery and computer forensics. So, ask a computer related question like, can you install a network with thirty computers? Yes means hang up the phone. Remember, you always get what you pay for and nobody works for free.
In conclusion, the saying in the industry is "file recovery is not, if it will happen, but when will it (and will you be prepared)." Prevention is the best solution. So, to ensure the safety of your files in the future (not to mention the hassle of having to go this process again) consistently do the following: 1. Back-up files daily to a secondary storage device, not on the main hard disk drive where you originally saved them. 2. Defrag your computer regularly. Doing so will increase the probability of a successful recovery if you ever encounter this problem again. 3. At least once a month confirm your back-up is working properly. This is a common problem.
Related Tags: file recovery
You can find more written, audio and video information discussing the data recovery industry at ACR Data Recovery. Ken Roberts has been developing data recovery software and performing data recovery services worldwide for over 15 years.
Your Article Search Directory : Find in ArticlesRecent articles in this category:
- How To Properly Back Up The Data In Your Computer
When you have data on your computer, you most likely have it all saved so that you can keep it long - Mac Hard Drive Data Recovery After Dd Command Fails To Copy Your Data
Though the advance computer systems, such as Mac, UNIX etc are robust in their design and storage st - Olympus µ Tough-6020: Sd Card Corruption And Digital Camera Recovery
The Olympus µ TOUGH-6020 is a rugged and stylish camera which is bound to awe photo enthusiasts. It - Importance Of Spytool For Parents
Computer and Internet have become a basic part of education system in schools, colleges, and institu - Bkf Recovery In Server 2003 After Deletion Of Archive Bit Information
It is imperative for a Microsoft Windows user to backup his/her file. Backup files turn out to be ha - How To Prevent Windows Data Loss
Did you just face crashing of your Microsoft Windows 7 operating system? And are all your files trap - Defragmentation In Windows May Lead To Data Loss
I have always relied on a Windows operating system. And like me, there are many other people who com - Using Mysql Recovery Utility To Repair Damaged Myisam 5.0.4 Table
The MyISAM table in the MySQL database is the default type of database engine. This table stores the - What Types Of Digital Media Allow For Data Recovery?
There are a number of reasons that an individual or company may need to turn to a data recovery comp - Saving Your Computer From Ransomware Viruses
As the world becomes more and more connected, computer viruses are as rampant and as destructive as
Most viewed articles in this category:
- Instant Rollback to the Past With Rollback Rx
With impacting system performance and speed, Rollback Rx is the only system restore software and dis - Troubleshoot Via Remote Control With Rollback Rx
Rollback Rx lets you carry out your pc maintenance and fix computer problems both remotely and local - The 5 Most Common Reasons Why People Believe They Won't Need Data Recovery
Most people don't realize how important their data is until it is lost. Hard drive data recovery is - Reasons For Data Loss From Computer Hard Disks
IntroductionThe last 20 years has brought about a proliferation of computer use in society. Technol - How to Backup Mails and Address Book of Outlook Express
What happens when you login to your computer system and find that you cannot access your mails on Ou - Electronic Discovery 2.0
Electronic Discovery, or "e-discovery" refers to the discovery of data from electronic storage and o - Managing Backup And Recovery Services
Iceland Seafood International (ISI) has numerous offices located in ten countries and sells seafood - Corrupt Word File Recovery
There are as many ways to recover the lost data as there are the reasons to lose it. If there are 10 - The Prescription For Your PC's Health - RollBack Rx
Where there is data, there is a threat to its security. More so for very large organizations that ne - Restore, Recover & Relax - With Rollback Rx
When a computer problem occurs, most people think twice before attempting to find out what went wron